Knockdown picture-frame



UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.r

CHARLES O. BAXTER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

KNooKDowN PICTURE-FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,955, dated November 2, 1886.

Application filed September 18, 1885. Serial No. 177,4?3. (No modul.)

-To aZZ lwhom, it may concern,.-

of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the ao-` companying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which-- Figure 1 is a back view of my improved frame, with part ofthe picture broken away for exhibiting the rabbets of the end pieces, the inner portions of themortises for permitting longitudinal play of the tenons of the end pieces also being shown in this view. Fig. 2 is a detail view showing one corner of the frame disjointed. Fig. 3 is a back view showing the two end pieceslof the frame. Fig. 4 is a View of the end pieces rolled or folded together. Fig. 5 is an en'd view of same. Fig.' 6 is a view of thelside pieces placed togetherv and the tightening cord or wire wrapped around them. Fig. 7 is a view of the side pieces and end pieces placed together in. ship.

ping position.

The object of my invention is to produce a knockdown picture-frame, or a frame that can be readily unfastened for detaching or separating it for shipment, and as readily put together again for use. Itis more particularly intended to be applied to frames such as are used for show-cards and advertising purposes.

' My invention relates to picture or show-card frames so constructed that they can be readily knocked down or unfastened for detachment and separation, and subsequently puttogether again; and my invention'consists in features of novelty hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the .side pieces, and B the end pieces, of the frame,

both the side pieces'and'end pieces being provided preferably with rabbets 0. They are preferably jointed by mortises D in the side pieces and-tenons E, formed upon the end pieces when the frame is put together.

F represents the mount, consisting of a picture or show-card, which is glued or otherwise secured either to the side pieces or to the end pieces, but preferably to the latter, as shown in Fig. 3; hbut it is not secured to the other pieces of the frame. In case it is secured to the end pieces, as shown, it is not secured to the side pieces, so that the side pieces can be removed from the end pieces without destroying the picture. It' the picture should be secured to the side pieces, then it would not be secured to the end pieces. so that the end pieces can be removed without injury to the picture.

We will suppose that the picture is secured to the end pieces, as shown, and describe the manner of putt-ing the frame together.

The end pieces have pins or brackets G, against which bear the -free ends of levers H, pivoted to the side pieces, A. (See/Fig. l.) The inner ends of the levers are connected to a suitable tightening device, K, by ropes or wires N, as shown in Fig. l; or they may be connected together in pairs, if desired, instead of all four being connected to one device. t

I have shown the device consisting of a disk provided with an arm, L. By turning the disk, as shownjn Fig. l, the ropes or wires are tightened, causing t-he free ends of the lever to kropes or wires, as shown, holding the parts rigidly to their adjustment, and when the parts are thus held in place the picture is as firmly held in the frame as if put in in an ordinary way. l

By simply loosening the tightening device the side pieces of thev frame can be removed from the end pieces and placed together, as shown in Fig. 6, with the tightening-rope wound around them. The. end pieces can be rolled together, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, with the picture wound around one of them, and the side pieces and end pieces are then put together, as shown in Fig. 7, making the whole frame a compact bunch,occupying very little space, thus greatly reducing the cost of 9.5

` transportion and taking much less room for storage. When the frame reaches its destinaroo be dispensed with and the levers at the other` end connected by a suitable tightening device. In this case only one end of the frame will be moved to tighten the picture when the frame is put together.

I claim as my inventionl. Aknockdown picture-frame consisting of two opposite pieces connected together by a mount, and two opposite pieces provided with.

4. A picture-'frame consisting of the end pieces provided with pins or projections, the side pieces provided with pivoted levers, and a tightening device, substantially as described.

5. A picture-frame consisting of the end pieces, a mount secured to the end pieces, pins or projections on said end pieces, side pieces, levers pivoted to the side pieces,and a tightening device, substantially as described.

6. The combination of the end pieces provided with pins, and a mount secured to the saine, tenons formed upon the ends of said end pieces, side pieces having niortises to receive the tenons, levers pivoted to the side pieces, and tightening device, substantially as described.

Gno. H. KNIGHT, SMIL. KNIGHT. 

